Nominate an Outstanding Leader from Your Community School 

At our upcoming annual Illinois Community Schools Forum on October 19, 2012, the Federation for Community Schools will honor Illinois' outstanding community school leaders. The community schools movement in Illinois began over 16 years ago with the launch of Polk Bros.' Full-Service Community Schools Initiative in three Chicago elementary schools. Today, as a result of collaborative and visionary leadership, there are over 150 community schools in large and small urban, suburban, and rural communities across Illinois.   

Regardless of where they are, community schools excel when leaders take ownership for moving the work forward.  Whether it's a visionary principal, strong resource coordinator, committed parent, or dedicated staff member, a strong leader in a community school is instrumental in ensuring full implementation of the model and to achieving goals.  

To acknowledge the role leaders play in ensuring that all stakeholders remain focused on the shared vision for student success and a commitment to engaging everyone in moving the community school work forward, the Federation seeks nominations of exemplary leaders in your community schools.

In order to be considered for this award, nominees should demonstrate the capacities and qualities that make community schools strong, effective, and sustainable, including:

• Stewardship of a vision of success for all students
• Effective collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders invested in the success of students and families
• Shared leadership, encouraging transparency and empowering those around him/her
• Engaging in creative, but practical, problem solving that ensures effectiveness
• Operating from a strengths-based perspective

Chapin Hall Releases Policy Briefs Exploring Pillars of Community Schools 

Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, a research and policy center focused on a mission of improving the well-being of children and youth, families, and their communities recently released two policy briefs that explore the major tenants of the community school model, namely parent engagement and authentic school and community partnerships.   

In May, Chapin Hall released School Engagement Among Parents of Middle School Youth, which draws on their multiyear study of the Elev8 full-service community school initiative to identify effective parent engagement strategies.  The brief acknowledges that  national education policy emphasizes parent engagement, because of its known impact on student achievement, but provides little guidance on how to effectively engage parents.  The paper examines the strengths and challenges of parent engagement efforts and provides recommendations for developing solid connections with parents by "meeting them where they are in their lives (both physically and psychologically)."   

Chapin Hall followed their report on parent engagement with the discussion paper, Making "Community" an Authentic Part of School and Community Partnerships, which was released in June.   In this discussion paper the authors contrast two models for supporting student and families needs.  The institution-based model, to which the community school model belongs, utilizes the school as the primary site for the delivery of a variety of social and health services.  Like the institution-based model, the community-based model relies on collaboration amongst  multiple community organizations, but is not dependent upon any one institution as the site for service delivery.  This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of both models and, further, examines the complexities of school and community partnerships and the underlying assumptions inherent in an institution-based model that may hinder efficacy.   

The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) will celebrate 25 years of commitment, dedication and a passion for making a difference, at the National Convention for afterschool professionals. This event contains the most comprehensive program of professional development opportunities for afterschool professionals.  They are currently accepting workshop proposals that fall within this year's themes:

• Designing and Developing Quality Programs
• Developing Afterschool and Youth Professionals
• Building Partnerships and Community Relationships
• Sustaining and Growing Programs
• Promoting and Advancing Health and Wellness
• Engaging and Developing Older Youth
• Understanding and Engaging Diverse Cultures

If you are interested in presenting a workshop at the 25th Anniversary NAA Annual Convention to be held on April 7-10, 2013 in Indianapolis submit a proposal today.  Workshop submissions are due by October 1, 2012.

Investing in Opportunities for Children - Now

According to this year's Illinois Kids Count report, "Investing in Opportunities for Children - Now", children are caught in a "budget crossfire" at both the state and federal levels, and policymakers are neglecting to address the erosion of long-term investments in children.

Join Voices for Illinois Children to discuss the report's findings specific to the individual communities listed below.  This is an excellent opportunity to work collaboratively to address the challenges communities face in these difficult times, and to articulate a shared vision for the future of all children in Illinois.

You must RSVP separately for each symposium by clicking on each individual symposium's "register here" link below.

Carbondale

Tuesday, August 28 from 9:00 am - noon

John A. Logan College, Batteau Room

700 Logan College Road

Carterville, IL

Keynote speaker: Lt. Governor Sheila Simon

Register for Carbondale   

Peoria

Friday, September 14 from 9:00 am - noon

Peoria Civic Center/SMG

201 SW Jefferson Ave.

Peoria, IL

Keynote speaker: Reyna Hernandez, Assistant Superintendent, Center for Language and Early Child Development, Illinois State Board of Education 

Register for Peoria 

Northwest Cook County

Monday, September 28 from 9:00 am - noon

St. Alexius Medical Center

1555 Barrington Road

Hoffman Estates, IL

Keynote speaker: Jerry Stermer, Acting Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget

Register for Northwest Cook County